“My brother Ronan,” he admitted. “Last my brothers and I heard, he was recovering from injuries. Where he went afterward, we don’t know, though we had been forewarned that if we found the daughter of the barbarian who captured my brother, we would find Ronan. We learned she might be connected with a band of mercenaries.”
“You believe those mercenaries in this area?”
“More northeast of here, but you never can tell.”
“Mercenaries are a band of misfits for hire. There are only poor farmers and pagans in this area. Nothing to attract the likes of mercenaries,” she said.
“Perhaps it’s simply a place of rest they seek.”
She nodded. “Ronan looks like you?”
He laughed. “He’s not as handsome as me.”
Terese chuckled. “And is he a charmer like you?”
“You noticed my best quality.”
“I don’t know if I would call it a quality, and we waste time on you when it is your brother you should be describing,” she chastised gently.
“You’re right,” he admitted. “As I said he is a couple of inches taller than me with auburn hair—”
She interrupted again. “If you know what wounds he suffered that might prove more helpful.”
“If I recall what Zia told me…”
“Zia is your wife?” Terese asked.
“Good lord, no.” Lachlan laughed and quickly apologized. “Sorry, Sister, but I have no plans of marrying any time soon.”
“Why?” she asked before he could continue.
He spoke the truth. “I’m not ready to commit to a wife.”
“Why?”
She asked why much too often, yet he felt compelled to answer her. “I enjoy the life I presently live.”
“And what life is that?” she asked.
“A life of freedom,” he answered with a generous smile.
“I understand,” she said with a slow, continuous nod.
Oddly enough, he believed she did, though he couldn’t say why.
“And Zia is?”
“She is my brother Artair’s wife and a remarkable healer.”
“Why did your brother leave her care?” Terese asked.
“We don’t know. We can only assume that he has good reason for not returning home.”
“His wounds,” she reminded.
“Oh yes,” he said and thought a moment. “I believe Zia said he suffered damaged ribs, a leg wound, a severe shoulder wound, and his face had been badly beaten.”
“How awful,” Terese empathized. “Someone recovering from such wounds I would have remembered. But I do not recall such a man seeking our help.”
“But a band of mercenaries do frequent the area?”
“Yes, so we have been told,” she said.
“And not once have they crossed any of the sisters’ paths?”
Terese shook her head. “Such news surely would have been shared, but you are free to ask the others, if you wish.”
“Perhaps Piper, with all the time she spends in the woods, would know something?” he suggested.
“As I said you are free to ask.”
“You are generous and patient with us, Sister Terese,” he said, suddenly feeling as if he and his men were imposing on her and the other sisters.
“Not at all,” she argued with a bright smile. “We are here to help and be generous. It is what we do. And you have seen the fruit of our labor, which is why I am sure the church will want us to continue our work here.”
He almost grabbed his gut, feeling such a sharp stab of guilt. Here he was sabotaging their plans, while she offered him help. Another reason for him to burn in hell…lying to a nun.
Sister Terese resumed planting, her foot easing the rich soil over the dropped seeds.
“You do not mind such a lonely existence?” he asked as he continued alongside her.
She laughed softly, never disturbing her rhythmic motion. “It is far from a lonely existence. The sisters and I have each other for company and we are constantly busy, as I’m sure you have noticed. Then there are the farmers we visit and those who come to see us. It is a good life.”
“You don’t find it confining?” he asked.
“How so?”
“You mostly work.”
“And pray,” she reminded him.
He nodded, though had to ask. “Work and prayer are enough for you?”
She stopped, looked at him and spoke bluntly. “You wonder why I chose this life over one with a husband and children.”
“Forgive me, but I am curious why you chose to commit your life to the church rather than a husband.”
Her blue eyes burst with brilliant color and she grinned. “For the very same reason you presently enjoy your life.”